Hybrid, battery trains etc.

[ozbob]

Network Rail --> Batteries included: Prototype battery-powered train carries passengers for first time

The first battery-powered train to run on Britain's rail network in more than half a century carries its first passengers this week. This marks an important milestone in the project to demonstrate the viability of an eco-friendly battery-powered train for the twenty-first century.

The new train contributes to Network Rail's commitment to reduce its environmental impact, improve sustainability and reduce the cost of running the railway by 20 per cent over the next five years. It could ultimately lead to a fleet of battery-powered trains running on Britain's rail network which are quieter and more efficient than diesel-powered trains, making them better for passengers and the environment ...

More --> http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Batteries-included-Prototype-battery-powered-train-carries-passengers-for-first-time-2230.aspx

[haakon]

Would be an interesting option to expand commuter rail out to Laidley etc without further electrification works.

[ozbob]

A few years ago I suggested similar, battery/electric hybrid  MUs Ipswich <-> Helidon.   They are around,  I just got " crickets & blank stares "  ... 

[colinw]

Battery electrics sound like the ideal way to trial services on non-electrified branches off electric networks, although I wonder what the top speed and range is like.

Examples of where they could be useful in SEQ - some of these are foamy but examples of where they could be used.

- Grandchester/Laidley/Gatton beyond Rosewood, and also to run through tunnels like the difficult to modify Victoria Tunnel or the heritage listed #1 tunnel, even if the rest of the line to Gatton was electrified.

- Down the Bromelton dual gauge beyond Salisbury Jct.  No need to put up 25KV overhead over the ARTC managed track then.

- A worker's train to the Port of Brisbane.

- Low cost re-openings of branch lines - e.g. Caboolture - Wamuran or Bethania - Logan Jct. (Could usefully be combined here with an in-cab authority/signalling system like the PTC I worked on for TasRail - no track circuits / axle counters or lineside signals required).

- Providing services during power outages or overhead line works (remember back when the 2000 class railmotors used to do this - first time I ever went to Beenleigh was by 2000 class railmotor, overhead was turned off beyond Kingston during works on the duplication to Beenleigh  pre Gold Coast line construction).

Of course the counter argument is that DMUs or plain old diesel loco + carriages can do the same thing, albeit with inferior economy, acceleration and comfort.

Where I think we will see a LOT more use of this technology is in light rail applications, for catenary free sections in heritage areas or where there are other reasons to avoid overhead wires.

I can also see advantages to battery electrics for new and expanding electric networks.  Case in point, the newly electrified Auckland system, where the western line was cut back from Waitakere to Swanson to avoid modifying a tunnel (some DMUs do still run to Waitakere).  Battery electrics would allow through electric trains.

Other examples where battery electrics could make sense - in Melbourne, services beyond Frankston to (say) Baxter, or to allow removal of overhead on the infrequently used Flemington Racecourse branch.  In NSW, services beyond Kiama to Bomaderry. 

[ozbob]

A number of years ago now I had a meeting with a Bombardier rep about 3' 6" Vlocity equivalents (their request).  Apparently Queensland Rail at the time were very keen.  The usual stumbling block being anti-rail TMR.  Just saying ...

[ozbob]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EV-E301_series

EV-E301 series

The EV-E301 series (EV-E301系?) is a two-car battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on the Karasuyama Line and Tohoku Main Line since 15 March 2014.[1] The train is branded "Accum".[2]



Developed from the experimental "Smart Denchi-kun" battery railcar tested on the Karasuyama Line in 2012, the two-car EV-E301 series train operates as an electric multiple unit (EMU) under the 1,500 V DC overhead wire of the Tohoku Main Line between Utsunomiya and Hōshakuji, and on battery power over the 25.4 km (15.8 mi) non-electrified Karasuyama Line. It can also be recharged via its pantographs at a recharging facility specially built at Karasuyama Station.[2] JR East hopes ultimately to replace all of the diesel trains used on the line with these trains.[3]

The two-car trainset is equipped with 190 kWh lithium-ion storage batteries,[2] and the train has a maximum design speed of 100 km/h (60 mph), although it normally runs at up to 65 km/h (40 mph) in service.[4]

In service    15 March 2014 -
Manufacturer    J-TREC
Built at    Yokohama
Family name    Accum
Replaced    KiHa 40 series
Constructed    2014
Number built    2 vehicles (1 set)
Number in service    2 vehicles (1 set)
Formation    2 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers    V1–
Capacity    265 per set
Operator    JR East
Depot(s)    Oyama
Line(s) served    Karasuyama Line, Tohoku Main Line
Specifications
Car length    20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width    2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in)
Floor height    1,130 mm (3 ft 8 in)
Doors    3 pairs per side
Maximum speed    65 km/h (40 mph) (service)
100 km/h (60 mph) (design)
Acceleration    2.0 km/h/s
Deceleration    3.6 km/h/s
Electric system(s)    1,500 V DC
Current collection method    Overhead line
Bogies    DT79 (motored), TR255D (trailer)
Safety system(s)    ATS-P
Track gauge    1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The EV-E301 series (EV-E301系?) is a two-car battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on the Karasuyama Line and Tohoku Main Line since 15 March 2014.[1] The train is branded "Accum".[2]

[colinw]

25KV version of that would be perfect for low cost branchline re-openings, or other cases where electrification is undesirable.

[ozbob]

25KV version of that would be perfect for low cost branchline re-openings, or other cases where electrification is undesirable.

Yo.  Japanese are not backward with innovation.  Smart solution.

[ozbob]

Railway Gazette --> Battery-diesel hybrid multiple-unit on test